It's Official—Zara, Mango and COS Just Dropped the Most Elegant Collections of the Summer

The summer season has settled into a comfortable rhythm of warm days and bright skies, and our wardrobes are working hard to keep up. Loafers have been replaced with open-toe sandals, thick layers set aside in favour of light linens, and on the days when we want instant polish, dresses are leading the charge. At this point in the season, most of us have had the chance to assess our summer capsules, and personally I've found a few gaps where expensive-looking affordable buys should be. Luckily, a fresh wave of new-in styles have arrived on the high street, and I've scrolled through all of them to handpick the very best. Right now, the standouts all come from Zara, COS and Mango.

Zara Asymmetric Striped Top (£20) and Zara Striped Wide-Leg Trousers (£23) (Image credit: Zara)

Already this season, we've watched Zara offer up a series of instant best-sellers. From the viral frog-fastening shirt to the sell-out polka dot dress, Zara's summer collection is the strongest it's been in years. Even if you missed out on the It buys, there are a series of fresh pieces vying for a chance at cult status right now.

As ever, COS is bringing its innate elegance to summer staples, from expertly cut tailoring to easy cotton shirts. Soft silhouettes and intricate details of pleats and pin-tucking show the brand's attention to detail, and ability to make even affordable styles look like investment purchases. Mango rounds off the trio with attention to cut and form, from sleek balloon trousers to halter-neck dresses with delicate embroidery and crochet work, making its pieces look triple their actual price. As the best high street pieces tend to move fast, I'd recommend scrolling on.

Shop the Best Zara, COS and Mango Summer Buys

ZARA

Printed Polka Dot Blouse

The pretty blouse to wear with jeans, shorts, capri pants, skirts and more.

MANGO

High-Waisted Balloon Trousers

The shape of these trousers is so good.

MANGO

Oval Shoulder Bag

I genuinely thought this bag was a vintage designer find.

ZARA

Linen Blend Oversize Shirt With Frog Fastening

The cult buy of summer.

ZARA

Striped Wide-Leg Trousers

I want to wear this matching set immediately.

COS

Striped Cotton Shirt

A great shirt that will work hard in your wardrobe all year round.

COS

Wide-Leg Denim Shorts

These longline shorts are so sophisticated.

ZARA

Linen Blend Midi Dress With Pin Tucks

This dress is so chic (and selling fast!)

MANGO

Leather Straps Sandals

I haven't stopped thinking about these vibrant red sandals.

ZARA

Cotton Drawstring Bermuda Shorts

Currently in my basket.

MANGO

Knitted V-Neck Dress With Bead Embellishments

The bead details are such a nice touch.

ZARA

Zw Collection Mid-Waist Baggy Jeans

I bought a pair of similar khaki jeans and have had so many compliments.

MANGO

Halter Dress With Broderie Anglaise

I just know this pretty dress will be a hit this summer.

MANGO

Ribbed Knit Jumper With Contrast Trims

As soon as the cooler days arrive, I'll want to have this ready in my wardrobe.

ZARA

Zw Collection Lace Camisole Top

Easy, relaxed and yet so refined.

COS

Linen Wide-Leg Trousers

COS knows all about excellent tailored trousers.

MANGO

Braided Leather Shopper Bag

If you thought this was a designer buy I wouldn't blame you.

COS

Polka-Dot Jacquard Cotton Midi Skirt

This new skirt is already making waves in the Who What Wear offices.

ZARA

Check Jacket

It may not be jacket weather right now, but you won't want to miss out on this sleek style.

MANGO

A-Line Dress With Seam Detail

This timeless dress will be a summer staple every single year.

COS

Fluted-Sleeve Cotton Blouse

Such a rich shade.

MANGO

Low-Rise Tie Jeans

These tie jeans are ready to rejuvenate my denim collection.

COS

Tie-Detail Pleated Georgette Maxi Dress

Dress up or down by swapping in heels or sandals.

MANGO

Ruffled Crochet Top

This top is at the top of my wish list.

COS

Cotton Barrel-Leg Utility Trousers

This bold barrel-leg shape is ready to freshen up your summer wardrobe.

ZARA

Zw Collection Halter Neck Dress

Everyone will think this dress is triple the price.

ZARA

Striped Knit Polo Shirt

Colourful stripes are here to stay.

COS

Cotton-Twill Wide-Leg Turn-Up Trousers

The shape of these trousers is a 10/10.

COS

Layered Pintucked Mini Dress

The perfect throw-on mini dress for when you want to look put-together in five seconds.

ZARA

Volume Sarouel Trousers

Every stylish person I know is adding a pair of balloon trousers to their wardrobe.

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These Brushed-Out Curls Are the Glam Hair Trend Taking Over Summer

There’s a noticeable shift happening with hair trends this year. After years dominated by sleek finishes, deliberately polished styling and ultra definition, we’re swinging back towards softness. Rather than hair that feels obviously styled, summer in particular has seen a wave of laidback styles that feel less controlled and more instinctive, with movement, texture and an inherent sense of ease taking precedence over precision.

The shift is evident in the haircuts that people are asking for in salons right now too. Forget blunt bobs and coiffed pixie cuts; it’s styles with fluidity—think waterfall layers, lazy bobs and pared-back shags—that are proving popular. And it’s this shift that has put brushed-out curls firmly on the agenda.

(Image credit: @cwoodhair)

What Are Brushed-Out Curls?

Rather than perfectly sculpted curls or immaculate mermaid waves, brushed-out curls have an airy, almost cloud-like texture that manages to feel both relaxed and effortlessly elegant. “I’d describe this look as soft, brushed-out glamour with a modern feel,” explains STIL Salon Style Director, Neale Rodger. “The curls are there, but they’re not the main event—it’s more about the movement, volume and silhouette they create once they’re brushed out. I would say there’s definitely a nod to old Hollywood hair, but it also feels very current.”

Rodger points to Olivia Dean’s voluminous, bouncy curls that she wore recently on her The Art of Loving tour as the epitome of this trend. “Dean wears brushed-out curls beautifully because it never looks too polished or overly done,” he says. “It sits somewhere between natural texture and glamour, which is exactly where a lot of hair trends are heading right now.”

Brushed-Out Curls Inspiration

(Image credit: @emilychengmakeup)

Mika Abdalla's brushed-out beachy waves are giving summer mermaid vibes.

(Image credit: @amberdmakeup)

How beautiful are Chase Infiniti's voluminous, glam curls?

(Image credit: @rachelpolycarpe)

The queen of the brushed-out curl, Olivia Dean's tousled hair always looks effortlessly chic.

(Image credit: @emmalaird)

I love the pairing of soft, feathery fringe and retro waves on Emma Laird's lob.

(Image credit: @jadethirlwall)

Brushed-out curls don't come cooler than Jade Thirlwall's ultra-long style.

(Image credit: @lacyredway)

Chappell Roan channels that old school glamorous feel with her blown-out, fluffy curls.

(Image credit: @lacyredway)

How pretty do Ayo Edebiri's curls look with their softly, combed-out ends?

How to Get Brushed-Out Curls

Part of the appeal of brushed-out curls is certainly their versatility. The softly diffused finish works just as well with a T-shirt and jeans as it would a wedding guest dress, making it a versatile option for everyday styling and a special occasion ‘do. But does the trend work for every hair type? Rodger certainly thinks so, but you need to tailor how you approach the styling depending on whether you have textured or naturally straight hair.

“For textured hair, I’d focus on enhancing what’s already there rather than fighting against it,” Rodger explains. “Using a diffuser, some curl-defining products and gently brushing out once the hair has completely cooled can create a really beautiful version of the look, while still maintaining the hair’s natural character.”

(Image credit: @oliviadeano)

“However, for naturally straight hair, you will need to build the shape first,” Rodger says. “I’d use a large barrel tong or rollers to create soft curls throughout the hair and then leave them to cool completely before brushing through.”

The biggest mistake that people make when attempting the brushed-out curl trend, according to Rodger? “Stopping when the curls look perfect. Don’t be afraid to brush the curls out,” he says. “Most people spend ages creating curls only to leave them exactly as they are. The magic actually happens once you brush them out and let everything blend together into one soft shape, giving that effortless, expensive-looking finish that everyone’s obsessed with right now.”

The Best Products for Brushed-Out Curls

Aveda

Phomollient Styling Foam

"Product-wise, I love anything that encourages movement rather than stiffness," says Rodger. "A lightweight mousse before styling can help create hold."

GHD

Chronos Curve Max Wand

While Rodger doesn't think that the specific tools you use matter too much, he does recommend a large barrel tong—and this 38mm one from GHD is perfect for getting those large, oversized curls.

Space NK

Wide Tooth Comb

Once you've created those curls it's time to brush them out. "Use a wide tooth comb and brush through the mid-lengths and ends to shape a flawless, brushed-out curl," says Ryan Wilkes, Hairstylist at Hershesons Belgravia

Hershesons

Almost Everything Cream the Best Styling Cream

"Using the right products and tools is essential for achieving brushed-out curls," says Wilkes. "Apply a smoothing heat protection spray and Hershesons Almost Everything Cream to finish." This multitasker adds shine and smooths flyaways while enhancing natural texture too.

Maria Nila

Texture Spray

A look that's all about the texture means a texture spray is inevitable. Finish the look with a spritz of this lightweight one. "A texture spray or soft finishing spray afterwards keeps everything airy and touchable," explains Rodger.

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Just a Heads Up—The "Dated" Skirt Trend Every Millennial Once Owned Might Be Getting Cool Again

We millennials have bought into our fair share of denim skirt trends over the years, but we don't always embrace them when they cycle back around. But some are simply more timeless than others, including the style Karlie Kloss was just spotted wearing in NYC: a denim midi skirt with jeans-like details such as a zipper or button fly, belt loops, and pockets. It's the perfect skirt to swap jeans for when you want to wear denim, but you also want to dress your outfit up a bit.

Kloss, a very well-dressed millennial herself, paired her frayed-hem denim midi skirt with a ruffled button-down shirt layered under a preppy double-breasted blazer. She completed the look with a structured cream shoulder bag and brown suede ballet flats. Her outfit proves that if you pair a denim midi skirt with classic pieces, there's zero chance of it looking dated. Her outfit also just might indicate that this particular skirt style is poised for a comeback. It's the perfect summer-to-fall transitional piece, so the timing couldn't be more perfect.

Keep scrolling to see what you need to recreate Kloss' look and shop the internet's best denim midi skirts.

The Trend of Karlie Kloss

(Image credit: TheStewartofNY/GC Images/Getty Images)

Get the Look

Ralph Lauren

Wool Crepe Blazer

Polo Ralph Lauren

Oxford Cotton Button-Up Shirt

MOTHER

The Circle Denim Midi Skirt in Buckaroo

Sam Edelman

Alie Ballet Flats

Shop More Denim Midi Skirts

Gap

High Rise Denim Midi Pencil Skirt

Prada

Flared Denim Skirt

Favorite Daughter

The Winona Denim Cotton Blend Midi Skirt

Levi's

High Rise Back Slit Skirt

Tory Burch

Denim Skirt in Blue

Quince

Stretch Denim 5-Pocket Midi Skirt

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